CNA interviews Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, ahed of his first ever official visit to Cyprus. The Commissioner aims to bring Brussels closer to Nicosia and have constructive talks with the authorities on a variety of issues. The European Commissioner, coming from Malta, is well aware of island – state challenges and brings messages for many local issues, such as songbird hunting, the “limni development project” and marine litter.
“This is my first visit to Cyprus as European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries”, said the Commissioner, adding that “I`m delighted to be here”. He then revealed that he first came here 50 years ago when his father worked on the island”.
“Today, I am here to help Cyprus make the most of its opportunities when it comes to environmental and maritime challenges”.
“I want to listen and learn, but to also use this occasion to bring my own thoughts to the table. I look forward to discussing how Cyprus can maximize the potential benefits of its impressive Natura 2000 network in a sustainable way.
The Commissioner said on CNA that he will discuss with the authorities “how Cyprus is building on our joint commitment to sustainable fisheries in the recently agreed MedFish4Ever Declaration, and what steps Cyprus can take to improve its recycling rates and waste management”. H revealed that his aim is “to bring Brussels closer to home and engage in local conversation”. “This is important for me to get more than just a sense, but also a feel of how we can best address our common challenges together”, he said.
Called to comment on whether nature protection and socioeconomic activities co-exist, he answers that “nature protection and socio-economic activities can not only co-exist, but with the right planning they can be mutually reinforcing”. “I will not deny that there are times when these two objectives can create tensions, but experience has also shown me that the best solutions are inspired through collaborative efforts of all involved stakeholders. In this respect I hope to play a role in bringing people closer together to find win-win solutions”, said Commissioner Vella, adding that “the private sector is a key partner in this equation, as reaping economic opportunities comes with environmental responsibilities”.
Asked for more specificity he explains: “take agriculture and rural employment for example. This depends on preserving the land that is fertile and prosperous, that can produce unique local products”. The Commissioner appeared very well informed on the specifics of the local landscape: “from the Kolokasi of Sotira to the sweet rose of Agros. Preserving the land and nature means preserving the very identity and unique culture, giving the competitive advantage upon which the island thrives. We must take great care not to lose that”.
Turning on tourism he added: “the same goes for development projects in the tourism sector. As an architect by profession, for me the question is less about whether development should or should not take place, but about ensuring that the development is sustainable”. Then the Commissioner offered CNA an example form his home country: “as in my home country Malta, tourism depends on the island`s existing natural resources. Big business and financial services are increasingly realising that integrating biodiversity into their investment plans enhances trust and confidence. It secures returns in the long run”.
“The past year I looked at our EU nature legislation to see exactly how we can improve forging synergy and partnership. Our response is presented in the Action Plan for nature, people and the economy. It presents an extensive list of actions, including new guidance to unleash this potential, while ensuring that EU rules, as agreed by all Member States, are equally respected across the EU”, he stressed.
CNA called for comment on the the Limni development project, a an example of tensions between economic development and nature protection. Has there been any progress on this file. The Commissioner explains: “the Limni project presents a case in point where we need to ensure that the investment delivers for the local communities, without compromising the integrity of the site”. Again he stressed that “a Natura 2000 site is not necessarily a nature reserve, where no development can take place” and clarified: “development is allowed when it is environmentally sustainable”.
“I receive regular updates from Minister Kouyialis and I am pleased that important environmental impact assessments will be improved and I expect that necessary mitigation measures are taken”, said Karmenu Vella. “We need to ensure benefits for everyone. And that includes the turtle!”
As the hunting of songbirds is another environmental issue that divides Cyprus, but has been recently on the focus of Brussels, with potential for an infringement case, CNA asked Commissioner Vella on his view on the way forward:
“Firstly, it is important to separate illegal practices from sustainable hunting. Sustainable hunting is of course permitted in the EU, but there are agreed rules that need to be applied strictly across all EU Member States”.
The Commissioner is adamant that “trapping with limesticks on the other hand is simply illegal, It is a non-selective method of hunting, killing more than a million birds in Cyprus, some of which are critically endangered”.
“A number of Member States face the challenge of ensuring that the hunting of birds is sustainable. Several already made the transition to adapt their practices and it is important that we do not allow double standards”, he said.
“Established traditions that are based on nature should work to enhance it”, says and warns that: “traditions cannot continue without nourishing the very essence on which they are based and they also need to adapt with time. Hunters know that without a healthy biodiversity, there can be no hunting”.
Turning from land to sea, CNA called for comment on Last week`s you international conference in Malta “on Our Ocean” collecting over 7 billion euro in commitments from the private and public sector to better govern the oceans and the message the Commissioner brings to Cyprus from that experience:
“Our Ocean conference was based on the principle of global cooperation. It was not about discussing, but about delivering commitments that can bring rapid improvement. For example, marine pollution from plastics featured high on the agenda. Governments from all over the world and large companies such as Procter & Gamble, Marks & Spencer and PepsiCo announced significant reductions in plastic use”.
The Commissioner made a specific reference to the micro plastics and other marine litter issue, revealing the EC`s plans to tackle it: “marine litter does not just appear in the sea. How we manage our waste on land is a crucial element in solving the equation. We as the European Commission tabled a proposal to make the transition towards an economy based on better design, recycling and reusing of products that will also contribute to cleaner oceans. By the end of the year we will present an EU Plastics strategy”.
In conclusion Commissioner Karmenu Vella said: “Cyprus has an important role to play in this, not just for the EU but for the Mediterranean region as a whole. The signing of the MedFish4Ever Declaration last year was a first important milestone to give our fishermen and coastal communities a future. We need to keep our sea healthy, clean and secure. The EU must lead by example and that is why we must now turn these commitments into action that makes a difference. Another good example of protecting tradition by promoting sustainability”.
Karmenu Vella in Cyprus will meet Nicos Kouyialis, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus, Adamos Adamou, Acting President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus and Chairman of the House Standing Committee on the Environment and will participate in a joint meeting with the chairmen and members of the House Standing Committees on Environment, on Foreign and European Affairs, and on Agriculture and Natural Resources. He also visits a project site on “Restoration and Management of Oroklini Lake”, a Special Protection Area (SPA) and will hold a Dialogue on “Engaging Nature, People and the Economy” with various stakeholders, at the EU House in Nicosia.